The silver solder I have here does have a high silver content, yes. :-) It also contains cadmium, which shouldn't be used indoors because the fumes are toxic. It's 1/16" diameter round wire. When it's gone, I'll probably replace it with a cad-free alloy.
I mostly heat the work (that is, the junction of ground radials, wire, and ground rod), and let that melt the solder. Applying a flame to the solder itself is an exercise in frustration. You're not doing that, are you? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Thu, Jan 1, 2015 at 4:37 PM, Paul Christensen <[email protected]> wrote: > > “If you had trouble with an oxyacetylene torch, then I'll bet you > used "silver-bearing" (tin-copper-silver) solder, which melts at well under > 700 degrees. > > These are mid-level silver sticks with 15% silver + copper/phosphor and > have a working temperature of 1200-1400 degs. F – but not the 2-5% silver > bearing variety with a lower melting point. You are probably using a much > higher silver content if working with OxyAcet. > > Using OxyAcet on the 15% bars can quickly result in boiling and > vaporizing of the solder with damage done to the copper, especially to a > copper strap. With 15% bars, Acetylene/air works fine even with a high > amount of heat-sinking. I have not yet tried MAPP gas. > > Paul, W9AC > _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
